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Additional inverter cooling

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Accessories and Modifications' started by toyotechwv, Jun 27, 2012.

  1. toyotechwv

    toyotechwv Toyota Technician

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    Here's my next mod, gonna mount this under driver's side headlamp behind bumper cover. It will be plumbed in after the factory inverter radiator. Hope to find a small fan from a bike or atv to mount on it for additional cooling. May be a few days before I get it in the car, will post pics when its installed.

    PC36100 ? 2
     

    Attached Files:

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  2. peterjmc

    peterjmc Ping pong in Ding Dang...

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    How hot does the coolant get after a session?
     
  3. toyotechwv

    toyotechwv Toyota Technician

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    I saw inverter temps at 130 after one run and 5 minutes of heat soak. If there is constant airflow it stays cool but once that stops it heats up fast.

    PC36100 ? 2
     
  4. JimN

    JimN Let the games begin!

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    I have to be fully blocked with OAT in the 80's to see 130's.
     
  5. SageBrush

    SageBrush Senior Member

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    I do not know, that does not sound like a recipe for long life to me. It will also cause a hell of a belly ache.
     
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  6. F8L

    F8L Protecting Habitat & AG Lands

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    Nice!

    I remember doing similar things for ratings trannies. Now here we are doing it for inverters. LOL
     
  7. WE0H

    WE0H Senior Member

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    Do the computers roll back the electric motor torque as the inverter coolant temp rises? At what temp does it start to decrease torque if that is so?

    tnx,
    Mike
     
  8. jdcollins5

    jdcollins5 Senior Member

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    I have monitored the inverter temp while running but have not thought about checking it later after a heat soak like you say. I am seeing a similar situation with the HV battery after stopping and going back to the car 30 minutes or an hour later.

    Thanks for the info.
     
  9. toyotechwv

    toyotechwv Toyota Technician

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    I have the xgauge installed that runs the hv fan on max, keeps the battery nice and cool.

    If I'm not mistaken 116 degrees is where amperage is reduced.

    PC36100 ? 2
     
  10. jdcollins5

    jdcollins5 Senior Member

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    I have used the XGauge to step the HV battery fan through its 6 speed modes for testing purposes but have not gone so far as to leave it on max speed. Have you seen any issues with running the fan at max speed? Hmmm ....

    If 116F is where amperage is reduced I have not noticed this reduction as I have seen it as high as 130F after sitting and heat soaking before driving again.
     
  11. toyotechwv

    toyotechwv Toyota Technician

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    If you're not WOT you probably won't notice it.

    PC36100 ? 2
     
  12. jdcollins5

    jdcollins5 Senior Member

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    OK thanks, I am never at WOT so would not notice.

    Back to my other question, have you seen any issues running the HV battery fan at max speed all of the time?
     
  13. toyotechwv

    toyotechwv Toyota Technician

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    Nope not a bit. Keeps battery in upper 70 lower 80 range during normal driving, and upper 80's during competition.

    PC36100 ? 2
     
  14. toyotechwv

    toyotechwv Toyota Technician

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    More to come when I finish install.

    PC36100 ? 2
     

    Attached Files:

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  15. toyotechwv

    toyotechwv Toyota Technician

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    Plumbed and no leaks. I drilled out the dimples in the fog light insert, the cooler sits directly behind it. Autocross this weekend, will post performance of cooler.

    PC36100 ? 2
     

    Attached Files:

  16. toyotechwv

    toyotechwv Toyota Technician

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    Very impressed with highway perofmance. Kept inverter temps in low to mid 80's at 70mph, ambient temp around 75. During autocross I'm still battling heat soak. Going to try and mount a motorcylce fan to the cooler for continuous air flow.

    PC36100 ? 2
     
  17. ahmeow

    ahmeow Prius Lover

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    I like it. How's it work now? Did you install a fan for it?
     
  18. ahmeow

    ahmeow Prius Lover

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    Nice job.
     
  19. Justdidit

    Justdidit LVNPZEV

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    [​IMG]

    Any updates on this Paul?
     
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  20. Justdidit

    Justdidit LVNPZEV

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